Clark Phillips III Recognized Again, Utah Picking Up Steam
Oct 4, 2022, 9:30 AM | Updated: 2:14 pm
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah football cornerback Clark Phillips III posted an incredible game last Saturday when the Utes hosted in-conference foe Oregon State. On Sunday he was recognized by Walter Camp Award as their National Defensive Player of the Week, and Monday the Pac-12 Conference named him their player of the week as well. Phillips has been recognized for a second time on the national stage for his incredible performance last week, this time coming from the Chuck Bednarik Award recognizing him as their Player of the Week.
Another one for @ClarkPhillips21 ‼️ https://t.co/tHhDVK0y0L https://t.co/sQpzDTNmaW
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 4, 2022
The Utes Are Picking Up Steam
After a bit of a quiet start, most likely due to some letdown from their season opener against Florida, the Utes appear to be back on track and drawing national attention again. Phillips III’s three-interception game didn’t hurt in ramping up the excitement around Utah football again.
Currently the Utes are one of three Power Five teams to rank in the top tier of college football in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Utes’ offense, led by quarterback Cam Rising sits at #11 and Utah’s defense is at #12 in putting up points on the year.
.@Utah_Football is one of only three power five teams to rank top 12 in the nation in both 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 (11th) and 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 (12th).
Offense 🤝 Defense#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/MQ20yxFXe3
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 4, 2022
Utah is starring down two big tests over the next two weeks that could also go a long way to putting them squarely where they said they wanted to be before the season started. This week, the Utes will be traveling to Pasadena to take on #18 UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Next week Utah will be home hosting #6 USC in what many believe will be a preview of the Pac-12 Championship Game later in December.
A win against two Top 25 teams would put the Utes squarely in the drivers seat not only to potentially win the Pac-12 Conference for a second year in a row, but could also launch them back into the College Football Playoff discussion.
